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The Beauchamp Family #3
Winds of Salem
From the bestselling author of the Blue Bloods and The Descendants series comes the third installment in the fantastical Witches of East End series.
Freya Beauchamp is trapped in 1692, in Salem of all places, with no recollection of her past. A powerful enemy spell has sent her spiraling away so that she is separated by centuries from her mother, Joanna, and sister, Ingrid. This is not good news for a twenty-first-century witch. Not to mention the immediate threat she faces from the wealthy and influential Putnam family. When little Annie Putnam is one of the first to make accusations of witchcraft, her landowner father jumps at the opportunity to consolidate his power and expand his holdings in Puritan Salem Town. If Freya is caught using magic, she will be forced to relive the witch trials, and this time, her immortality will be in question.
Meanwhile, twenty-first-century North Hampton has its own snares. Joanna and Norm consult the Oracle for advice, and Freddie and his pixie allies search for a missing totem that could reopen the passages of time and help bring his sister home. When Ingrid bumps into an old flame, she finds that her new love for Detective Matt Noble is in doubt. Moving between past and present, with dizzying plot twists and page-turning suspense, Winds of Salem is sure to bewitch fans old and new.
Freya Beauchamp is trapped in 1692, in Salem of all places, with no recollection of her past. A powerful enemy spell has sent her spiraling away so that she is separated by centuries from her mother, Joanna, and sister, Ingrid. This is not good news for a twenty-first-century witch. Not to mention the immediate threat she faces from the wealthy and influential Putnam family. When little Annie Putnam is one of the first to make accusations of witchcraft, her landowner father jumps at the opportunity to consolidate his power and expand his holdings in Puritan Salem Town. If Freya is caught using magic, she will be forced to relive the witch trials, and this time, her immortality will be in question.
Meanwhile, twenty-first-century North Hampton has its own snares. Joanna and Norm consult the Oracle for advice, and Freddie and his pixie allies search for a missing totem that could reopen the passages of time and help bring his sister home. When Ingrid bumps into an old flame, she finds that her new love for Detective Matt Noble is in doubt. Moving between past and present, with dizzying plot twists and page-turning suspense, Winds of Salem is sure to bewitch fans old and new.
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First published August 13, 2013
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About the author
Melissa de la Cruz
187 books15.8k followersMelissa de la Cruz is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens including The Au Pairs series, the Blue Bloods series, the Ashleys series, the Angels on Sunset Boulevard series and the semi-autobiographical novel Fresh off the Boat.
Her books for adults include the novel Cat’s Meow, the anthology Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys and the tongue-in-chic handbooks How to Become Famous in Two Weeks or Less and The Fashionista Files: Adventures in Four-inch heels and Faux-Pas.
She has worked as a fashion and beauty editor and has written for many publications including The New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, The San Francisco Chronicle, McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl! and Seventeen. She has also appeared as an expert on fashion, trends and fame for CNN, E! and FoxNews.
Melissa grew up in Manila and moved to San Francisco with her family, where she graduated high school salutatorian from The Convent of the Sacred Heart. She majored in art history and English at Columbia University (and minored in nightclubs and shopping!).
She now divides her time between New York and Los Angeles, where she lives in the Hollywood Hills with her husband and daughter.
Her books for adults include the novel Cat’s Meow, the anthology Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys and the tongue-in-chic handbooks How to Become Famous in Two Weeks or Less and The Fashionista Files: Adventures in Four-inch heels and Faux-Pas.
She has worked as a fashion and beauty editor and has written for many publications including The New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, The San Francisco Chronicle, McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl! and Seventeen. She has also appeared as an expert on fashion, trends and fame for CNN, E! and FoxNews.
Melissa grew up in Manila and moved to San Francisco with her family, where she graduated high school salutatorian from The Convent of the Sacred Heart. She majored in art history and English at Columbia University (and minored in nightclubs and shopping!).
She now divides her time between New York and Los Angeles, where she lives in the Hollywood Hills with her husband and daughter.
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August 27, 2013
I have certain expectations for my mythological gods. I expect them to be larger than life, I expect them to be have complex characters; I expect them to behave with the grand wisdom acquired over the eons over which they have lived.
I do not expect this: "[Freddie] had made a mental note, of course, to do some laundry and throw some in there, but it had slipped his mind when he put on Warhammer and just had to get to the next level."
In the context of this scene, he's left his apartment a mess, strewn with dirty laundry, fast food remnants, old magazines, and a pet pig (Buster) running amok. His wife is upset because she's busy studying for her exams, and Freddie has done jack shit.
So who is this...Freddie? Is he a frat boy forced to be married at gunpoint? A middle-aged, balding 4-chan addict?
Actually, Freddie is the reincarnation of the Norse god, Freyr. He is supposed to be one of the most powerful gods in the Norse Vanir. And Buster the pet pig? Oh, that's just the powerful, prized golden boar, Gullinbursti. Details, details. Whatever.
It says volumes about this book that the fact that it seriously fucks with Norse mythology is the least of its problems. Let's put aside the multitudes of erroneous portrayal of Norse mythology, and just focus on the story and the characters. Just on that basis: this book is bloody horrible.
The writing is not difficult to read: it is extremely YA. There is no complexity here, there is no poetry in the language. The writing is purely telling, and not showing. It is easy to read at best, and poorly, horribly contrived at worse. A 5th grader would have no problem understanding the writing within this book, and would probably take a great deal of amusement at the utterly non-steamy sex scenes. I became more aroused browsing through the clearance rack at Saks than I did reading the love scenes within this book.
The dialogue is painfully forced, particularly those of the Salem Witch Trial era. One of the dumb-as-dirt goddess characters, Freya, somehow got her ass stuck back in time. With the time period comes the torturous attempts at making era-appropriate dialogue. It was truly agonizing to read. The characters' speech from this era read simultaneously too modern and excruciatingly artificial. It is, in short, a middle schooler's version of 17th century American speech.
So, to continue on about Freya. Granted, hindsight is 20/20, and Freya is stuck in the past without her memories, so you can't really tell her that the Salem Witch Hunt is going to happen. But here's the thing: it's called common sense, and Freya lacks every vestige of it.
It is only rational to assume, when you are living in an ultra-religious Puritan society, when neighbors turn against neighbors and go to court over a bad basket of fruit, it's probably not a good fucking idea to tell people that you're a witch and you have powers. Particularly when those powers aren't just limited to subtle things, like herbal healing. No, Freya's displays of powers are ridiculous, extravagant, showy, leaving no doubts whatsoever as to what she is.
This book also makes an absolutely mockery of the Salem Witch Trials. The only credit I can give it on that point is that the character of the slave Tituba is not portrayed with a mockery of a modern Jamaican accent.
This is not a book or a series about Norse gods and goddesses. Take away the labels, the names, and what you've got is Passions . It is a fucking multigenerational soap opera. The characters are artificial, they get themselves into dumb situations, they act like teenagers when really, they should know better, given their age and supposed sagacity. Keep in mind, these are supposed to be gods and goddesses, people. No, with few exceptions, they all know who they are. There is no memory loss to justify idiotic behavior. If you set out to read a book about gods and goddesses in modern times, you will be disappointed. Just go watch a soap opera, go watch a reality show; it's more amusing and enjoyable in the long run.
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo might be a better choice over this book. At least the characters feel real, and the main character is actually a child, instead of adults behaving like children.
I do not expect this: "[Freddie] had made a mental note, of course, to do some laundry and throw some in there, but it had slipped his mind when he put on Warhammer and just had to get to the next level."
In the context of this scene, he's left his apartment a mess, strewn with dirty laundry, fast food remnants, old magazines, and a pet pig (Buster) running amok. His wife is upset because she's busy studying for her exams, and Freddie has done jack shit.
So who is this...Freddie? Is he a frat boy forced to be married at gunpoint? A middle-aged, balding 4-chan addict?
Actually, Freddie is the reincarnation of the Norse god, Freyr. He is supposed to be one of the most powerful gods in the Norse Vanir. And Buster the pet pig? Oh, that's just the powerful, prized golden boar, Gullinbursti. Details, details. Whatever.
It says volumes about this book that the fact that it seriously fucks with Norse mythology is the least of its problems. Let's put aside the multitudes of erroneous portrayal of Norse mythology, and just focus on the story and the characters. Just on that basis: this book is bloody horrible.
The writing is not difficult to read: it is extremely YA. There is no complexity here, there is no poetry in the language. The writing is purely telling, and not showing. It is easy to read at best, and poorly, horribly contrived at worse. A 5th grader would have no problem understanding the writing within this book, and would probably take a great deal of amusement at the utterly non-steamy sex scenes. I became more aroused browsing through the clearance rack at Saks than I did reading the love scenes within this book.
The dialogue is painfully forced, particularly those of the Salem Witch Trial era. One of the dumb-as-dirt goddess characters, Freya, somehow got her ass stuck back in time. With the time period comes the torturous attempts at making era-appropriate dialogue. It was truly agonizing to read. The characters' speech from this era read simultaneously too modern and excruciatingly artificial. It is, in short, a middle schooler's version of 17th century American speech.
So, to continue on about Freya. Granted, hindsight is 20/20, and Freya is stuck in the past without her memories, so you can't really tell her that the Salem Witch Hunt is going to happen. But here's the thing: it's called common sense, and Freya lacks every vestige of it.
It is only rational to assume, when you are living in an ultra-religious Puritan society, when neighbors turn against neighbors and go to court over a bad basket of fruit, it's probably not a good fucking idea to tell people that you're a witch and you have powers. Particularly when those powers aren't just limited to subtle things, like herbal healing. No, Freya's displays of powers are ridiculous, extravagant, showy, leaving no doubts whatsoever as to what she is.
"Without her having to use her hands, the cows began to splash steamy streams of milk inside the buckets she had placed beneath their teats.In the middle of the day. With a witness. Fucking brilliant, Freya.
Eggs lifted from the hay inside the chicken coop, flying into her basket as the hens let out surprised clucks.
Next came the blackberries. Rather than getting nicked and bloody hands from the thorns, the berries plucked themselves off the brambles, falling into the girls’ baskets."
This book also makes an absolutely mockery of the Salem Witch Trials. The only credit I can give it on that point is that the character of the slave Tituba is not portrayed with a mockery of a modern Jamaican accent.
This is not a book or a series about Norse gods and goddesses. Take away the labels, the names, and what you've got is Passions . It is a fucking multigenerational soap opera. The characters are artificial, they get themselves into dumb situations, they act like teenagers when really, they should know better, given their age and supposed sagacity. Keep in mind, these are supposed to be gods and goddesses, people. No, with few exceptions, they all know who they are. There is no memory loss to justify idiotic behavior. If you set out to read a book about gods and goddesses in modern times, you will be disappointed. Just go watch a soap opera, go watch a reality show; it's more amusing and enjoyable in the long run.
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo might be a better choice over this book. At least the characters feel real, and the main character is actually a child, instead of adults behaving like children.
May 27, 2013
To see full review click here.
It's finally happened.
I'm giving a Melissa de la Cruz book a Good Reads one star and on my own rating system a three maybe even a two if we're going to be honest.
It's just that bad.
I want to tell you guys a story. Imagine you're me. Last week was a good week. I was finally finished with law school, excited for graduation. I even bought myself a Kindle Fire with my Lexis points so that I could finally read e-galleys like a normal person. And then I saw The Winds of Salem on Net Galley. I loved the Blue Bloods series (well, most of them) and it was free and inviting and I was like I'll just ignore the faults of Serpent's Kiss because Melissa was having a bad day.
She wasn't.
This series on a whole sucks.
I wanted to be positive. I wanted to tell you I loved it. For the most part the writing was fairly decent. She tended to tell more than show and that seems to have been a problem in general with this series. And it wasn't that difficult to get through. It was essentially easy reading. And I loved the Norse mythology. It reminds me of Thor. And Chris Hemsworth who plays Thor. There's even a Thor character in this installment who I really could get behind if you know she developed him more. In fact, I actually rooted for him over the other guy who was established over the course of the past two books.
That's sad.
That's really sad.
Considering the Thor character only had four lines. But given the way Ingrid was constantly avoiding Matt and the fact she took Thor with her to save Freya from the evil Puritans -who by the way operate on a level that's similar to the movie versions of The Crucible and The Scarlet Letter- I was thinking if de la Cruz continues to cash out this poorly crafted series for four or five more books with Blue Bloods. I'm definitely Team Thor. Because when you compare Chris Helmsworth to the guy they casted as Matt it's kind of obvious who wins. Though I can see why you would find that guy sort of hot. But seriously.
And yeah, I know I'm being superficial which is excused because this book is superficial, but the chemistry was more palatable between these two characters as well. It also might've helped that we didn't get the whole stupid virginity plot point.
Not that it matters much if you were Team Thor vs Team Boring Detective because what could've been a somewhat interesting love triangle was resolved rather quickly. What wasn't was fucking Freya's relationships.
I hate Freya. I really do. My pen pal, a fellow de la Cruz zealot, hates her too. I hate her for different reasons than Livvie does though. Livvie couldn't stand her by her mere introduction, i.e she cheats on her fiance in the very first chapter of the very first book. I sort of let them one slide mainly because I thought it might've been for shock value and it could be interesting seeing a not so perfect character. But does Freya ever grow or learn from her actions.
No.
Instead, de la Cruz pulls
God....
I hate that. Of course you have to choose. You might say you don't, but polygamous relationships don't last. I don't care if you tell me there's that show on TLC and that I'm being closed minded...but this is a book. I want a resolution to my stupid love triangle. And was there a love triangle here? Really. God, I miss the Loki in the comics. He would set all these idiots right.
And then there's Johanna, that drip husband of hers, and her moron son who's in insta love with this stupid character who ditches him for a term paper. I kid you not. I have lots of problems with these three. Well, mainly the mother and the son.
I'll start with Johanna most of her story is being conned by her maid into paying for her child's private school education. You know, I could understand getting a raise or maybe asking for a loan. But wanting your boss to pay 20K a year for private school as a gift. Please, bitch. Please. And why not public school? It's not like the little brat is a genius or anything, he's not even in school yet the mother's just afraid he'll be bullied in public school.
Like private school is going to help with that.
But it apparently will if you go to a school ran by a guy named Rainbow. He guarantees your kid won't be bullied while the kids educate themselves and randomly dance because they don't need structure....
Yeah, if I had a kid and we were looking for private schools the fact that the guy goes by the name of Rainbow would be an automatic no for said school. And no, you can't guarantee that there will be no bullying. Bullying happens everywhere. Private school isn't going to stop someone from pushing your kid and his purple Stingray Bike in a gutter.
Needless to say, he doesn't go to Stormy's, I mean Rainbow's (seriously did de la Cruz get that idea from Holly Madison) school But the fact that four or five chapters was devoted to this had me wanting to throw my Kindle at the wall.
Johanna basically does nothing after that except something that was supposed to make me cry but made me evil smile instead. If there is another one of these books, you can be guaranteed it will be better because I don't think Johanna is going to be a center character much longer.
Her husband...well, he and Johanna went from estranged to lovey dovey. He's your typical mancessory. And he's also there so we can here about Uncle Arthur-you know, that annoying douche who helped ruined the last Blue Bloods book and helped those stupid wolves from Wolf Pact instead of letting them die so that I wouldn't be subjected to Lawson's point of view in Gates of Paradise....
Yeah, I don't like Arthur. Almost as much as I don't like Freddy. Oh, Freddy.. A misogynist in jock's clothing. I really don't like this guy at all. So he starts off married at the beginning of this book, but things get bad because his wife's friends with this evil feminist who knows that Freddie sits home and eats Cheetos, pets his pet pig, and plays World of Warcraft all day. Okay, so occasionally he pretends to be a firefighter but that's only for like twenty pages in the book, so he can bitch about feminists. Judith, Gert's friend (seriously, who names their kids Judith and Gertrude these days, my grandma's name is Gertrude) says fireman instead of firefighter and he corrects her on that saying she's not sticking to her feminist values. Um, do you even know what feminism is, idiot? It's about women having equal rights, equal pay, having control over their bodies that sort of thing. I get that some feminist want neutral gender titles for jobs, but you know what that's not what it's really about. Anyway, Judith who he nicknames "Judy" because I just love guys who randomly nickname girls gets bitch slapped and tied up by the pixies. Then his wife leaves him (obviously) though she tries blaming it on a paper.
It wasn't the paper Freddy.
And oh, yeah, those annoying Jar Jar Binks characters are still around acting moronic as ever. Just like Jar Jar this whole mess could've been avoided if it hadn't been for them.
Idiots.
And let's talk about the actual villain. As I said before, no stinking build up. None at all.
Okay, now that I introduced you to our so called wonderful cast of characters (again). I have to discuss the plot. I suggest you getting something to drink. I'm ill and have had too much champagne from yesterday's festivities, so I'm going to stick with nasty orange Gatorade. But you guys should probably get something stronger because this plot...well, you'll want to get drunk.
So, basically here's the deal. One of the dumbasses (Freya) got herself sucked back to the 1600's a la Charmed in the last book and she's amnesic and doing stupid things like having sex in the woods with hot guys in Puritan times. At least Massachusetts doesn't have alligators like Mississippi does a la Heaven, but still puritans and it has to be cold too especially if it's like winter time/early spring like this book takes place (I think). Really stupid.
Honestly, Melissa's YA novels are more mature than this. Really the sex and the relationships though we also got that annoying "my love" trash here to that we got with Blue Bloods. Seriously, Jack and Sky saying my love to each other when they're two modern day teens...different book. But still it made the relationship seem faker than Britt's baby with Patrick on General Hospital.
So, everyone is trying to save Freya and her boy toy. Ingrid's pulling a few all nighters at the library. However, she doesn't realize you have to take a Starbucks break and her boyfriend's sort of getting busy with his baby momma. And then another guy, who could've been interesting, and who she shares more chemistry with pops up in her life....that's right Thor. And he's hot. And you're like girl why...why didn't you want this guy? Have you seen those arm muscles...but that doesn't really matter that much because this book is all about Freya and how she can have it all.
Seriously.
All the other characters make sacrifices. . I mean, a lot of the loose ends were tied here. Other than who does Freya choose there's no story left to tell. And really, the whole thing with Loki was so, so unnecessary it was resolved in the first book. So moral of the story, throw away one actually potential love triangle for one that makes you groan. Because virgins can't have love triangles ().
The end.
And all I have to say is I'm done. Done with this cash cow known as the Blue Bloods universe. I might read another one of these books if they're published because I just want to see how this shit ends (though I think this is it). I might even give Vampires of Manhattan a chance. But that's a huge if and if I do read it, it will most likely be a library check out. I honestly think this universe is about as worn out as the Shadow Hunters universe and hope that de la Cruz moves on to something else soon. This series to me has been a particular failure it had interesting ideas and concept, but the execution failed flat. Plot points that could've been interesting were dropped in favor for more contrived idiocy.
It's finally happened.
I'm giving a Melissa de la Cruz book a Good Reads one star and on my own rating system a three maybe even a two if we're going to be honest.
It's just that bad.
I want to tell you guys a story. Imagine you're me. Last week was a good week. I was finally finished with law school, excited for graduation. I even bought myself a Kindle Fire with my Lexis points so that I could finally read e-galleys like a normal person. And then I saw The Winds of Salem on Net Galley. I loved the Blue Bloods series (well, most of them) and it was free and inviting and I was like I'll just ignore the faults of Serpent's Kiss because Melissa was having a bad day.
She wasn't.
This series on a whole sucks.
I wanted to be positive. I wanted to tell you I loved it. For the most part the writing was fairly decent. She tended to tell more than show and that seems to have been a problem in general with this series. And it wasn't that difficult to get through. It was essentially easy reading. And I loved the Norse mythology. It reminds me of Thor. And Chris Hemsworth who plays Thor. There's even a Thor character in this installment who I really could get behind if you know she developed him more. In fact, I actually rooted for him over the other guy who was established over the course of the past two books.
That's sad.
That's really sad.
Considering the Thor character only had four lines. But given the way Ingrid was constantly avoiding Matt and the fact she took Thor with her to save Freya from the evil Puritans -who by the way operate on a level that's similar to the movie versions of The Crucible and The Scarlet Letter- I was thinking if de la Cruz continues to cash out this poorly crafted series for four or five more books with Blue Bloods. I'm definitely Team Thor. Because when you compare Chris Helmsworth to the guy they casted as Matt it's kind of obvious who wins. Though I can see why you would find that guy sort of hot. But seriously.
And yeah, I know I'm being superficial which is excused because this book is superficial, but the chemistry was more palatable between these two characters as well. It also might've helped that we didn't get the whole stupid virginity plot point.
Not that it matters much if you were Team Thor vs Team Boring Detective because what could've been a somewhat interesting love triangle was resolved rather quickly. What wasn't was fucking Freya's relationships.
I hate Freya. I really do. My pen pal, a fellow de la Cruz zealot, hates her too. I hate her for different reasons than Livvie does though. Livvie couldn't stand her by her mere introduction, i.e she cheats on her fiance in the very first chapter of the very first book. I sort of let them one slide mainly because I thought it might've been for shock value and it could be interesting seeing a not so perfect character. But does Freya ever grow or learn from her actions.
No.
Instead, de la Cruz pulls
God....
I hate that. Of course you have to choose. You might say you don't, but polygamous relationships don't last. I don't care if you tell me there's that show on TLC and that I'm being closed minded...but this is a book. I want a resolution to my stupid love triangle. And was there a love triangle here? Really. God, I miss the Loki in the comics. He would set all these idiots right.
And then there's Johanna, that drip husband of hers, and her moron son who's in insta love with this stupid character who ditches him for a term paper. I kid you not. I have lots of problems with these three. Well, mainly the mother and the son.
I'll start with Johanna most of her story is being conned by her maid into paying for her child's private school education. You know, I could understand getting a raise or maybe asking for a loan. But wanting your boss to pay 20K a year for private school as a gift. Please, bitch. Please. And why not public school? It's not like the little brat is a genius or anything, he's not even in school yet the mother's just afraid he'll be bullied in public school.
Like private school is going to help with that.
But it apparently will if you go to a school ran by a guy named Rainbow. He guarantees your kid won't be bullied while the kids educate themselves and randomly dance because they don't need structure....
Yeah, if I had a kid and we were looking for private schools the fact that the guy goes by the name of Rainbow would be an automatic no for said school. And no, you can't guarantee that there will be no bullying. Bullying happens everywhere. Private school isn't going to stop someone from pushing your kid and his purple Stingray Bike in a gutter.
Needless to say, he doesn't go to Stormy's, I mean Rainbow's (seriously did de la Cruz get that idea from Holly Madison) school But the fact that four or five chapters was devoted to this had me wanting to throw my Kindle at the wall.
Johanna basically does nothing after that except something that was supposed to make me cry but made me evil smile instead. If there is another one of these books, you can be guaranteed it will be better because I don't think Johanna is going to be a center character much longer.
Her husband...well, he and Johanna went from estranged to lovey dovey. He's your typical mancessory. And he's also there so we can here about Uncle Arthur-you know, that annoying douche who helped ruined the last Blue Bloods book and helped those stupid wolves from Wolf Pact instead of letting them die so that I wouldn't be subjected to Lawson's point of view in Gates of Paradise....
Yeah, I don't like Arthur. Almost as much as I don't like Freddy. Oh, Freddy.. A misogynist in jock's clothing. I really don't like this guy at all. So he starts off married at the beginning of this book, but things get bad because his wife's friends with this evil feminist who knows that Freddie sits home and eats Cheetos, pets his pet pig, and plays World of Warcraft all day. Okay, so occasionally he pretends to be a firefighter but that's only for like twenty pages in the book, so he can bitch about feminists. Judith, Gert's friend (seriously, who names their kids Judith and Gertrude these days, my grandma's name is Gertrude) says fireman instead of firefighter and he corrects her on that saying she's not sticking to her feminist values. Um, do you even know what feminism is, idiot? It's about women having equal rights, equal pay, having control over their bodies that sort of thing. I get that some feminist want neutral gender titles for jobs, but you know what that's not what it's really about. Anyway, Judith who he nicknames "Judy" because I just love guys who randomly nickname girls gets bitch slapped and tied up by the pixies. Then his wife leaves him (obviously) though she tries blaming it on a paper.
It wasn't the paper Freddy.
And oh, yeah, those annoying Jar Jar Binks characters are still around acting moronic as ever. Just like Jar Jar this whole mess could've been avoided if it hadn't been for them.
Idiots.
And let's talk about the actual villain. As I said before, no stinking build up. None at all.
Okay, now that I introduced you to our so called wonderful cast of characters (again). I have to discuss the plot. I suggest you getting something to drink. I'm ill and have had too much champagne from yesterday's festivities, so I'm going to stick with nasty orange Gatorade. But you guys should probably get something stronger because this plot...well, you'll want to get drunk.
So, basically here's the deal. One of the dumbasses (Freya) got herself sucked back to the 1600's a la Charmed in the last book and she's amnesic and doing stupid things like having sex in the woods with hot guys in Puritan times. At least Massachusetts doesn't have alligators like Mississippi does a la Heaven, but still puritans and it has to be cold too especially if it's like winter time/early spring like this book takes place (I think). Really stupid.
Honestly, Melissa's YA novels are more mature than this. Really the sex and the relationships though we also got that annoying "my love" trash here to that we got with Blue Bloods. Seriously, Jack and Sky saying my love to each other when they're two modern day teens...different book. But still it made the relationship seem faker than Britt's baby with Patrick on General Hospital.
So, everyone is trying to save Freya and her boy toy. Ingrid's pulling a few all nighters at the library. However, she doesn't realize you have to take a Starbucks break and her boyfriend's sort of getting busy with his baby momma. And then another guy, who could've been interesting, and who she shares more chemistry with pops up in her life....that's right Thor. And he's hot. And you're like girl why...why didn't you want this guy? Have you seen those arm muscles...but that doesn't really matter that much because this book is all about Freya and how she can have it all.
Seriously.
All the other characters make sacrifices. . I mean, a lot of the loose ends were tied here. Other than who does Freya choose there's no story left to tell. And really, the whole thing with Loki was so, so unnecessary it was resolved in the first book. So moral of the story, throw away one actually potential love triangle for one that makes you groan. Because virgins can't have love triangles ().
The end.
And all I have to say is I'm done. Done with this cash cow known as the Blue Bloods universe. I might read another one of these books if they're published because I just want to see how this shit ends (though I think this is it). I might even give Vampires of Manhattan a chance. But that's a huge if and if I do read it, it will most likely be a library check out. I honestly think this universe is about as worn out as the Shadow Hunters universe and hope that de la Cruz moves on to something else soon. This series to me has been a particular failure it had interesting ideas and concept, but the execution failed flat. Plot points that could've been interesting were dropped in favor for more contrived idiocy.
July 29, 2013
After feeling only so-so about Serpent's Kiss, the prequel to this and the second in the Witches of East End series, I went into Winds of Salem not knowing what to expect. However, Winds of Salem managed to restore my love for this series, as it possessed the same charm and witchy goodness that the first one contained.
Winds of Salem picks up a little while after Serpent's Kiss left off. In present day, the Beauchamp family is trying to bring Freya home while dealing with their own wide variety of personal problems, big and small. On the other hand, Freya is back in the 1600s, sent to relive the one thing she'd never thought she have to: the Salem Witch Trials. One of the big problems I had with the second book was the lack of connection I felt to the main characters, but luckily, that problem vanished within this one. I enjoyed how Melissa split the book up into various sections, as it allowed for a well developed sense of what was going on in both worlds and some suspense. In addition, I suddenly seemed to care about the characters once again...something just seemed to click. I particularly enjoyed finding out more about 1600 era Freya as well as seeing more of Freddie who weirdly began to grow on me as the story progressed.
The plot in this was also filled with action and lots of suspense, as mentioned before. I enjoyed seeing more about the Salem Witch Trials. In my opinion, Melissa did a great job of catching the scene and feelings associated with this time, which made the overall reading experience even better. It was also exciting to see what was occurring back in present day, especially when it involved my favorite characters: the pixies. The scenes with them and Freddie were always priceless!
What I liked the most about this book, though, was the ending. Melissa did a great of concluding the major storylines while also leaving room for potential development. In some ways, I really hope she does continue this series.
Sexy, compelling, and magical, Winds of Salem leaves little room for disappointment.
Grade: A
Winds of Salem picks up a little while after Serpent's Kiss left off. In present day, the Beauchamp family is trying to bring Freya home while dealing with their own wide variety of personal problems, big and small. On the other hand, Freya is back in the 1600s, sent to relive the one thing she'd never thought she have to: the Salem Witch Trials. One of the big problems I had with the second book was the lack of connection I felt to the main characters, but luckily, that problem vanished within this one. I enjoyed how Melissa split the book up into various sections, as it allowed for a well developed sense of what was going on in both worlds and some suspense. In addition, I suddenly seemed to care about the characters once again...something just seemed to click. I particularly enjoyed finding out more about 1600 era Freya as well as seeing more of Freddie who weirdly began to grow on me as the story progressed.
The plot in this was also filled with action and lots of suspense, as mentioned before. I enjoyed seeing more about the Salem Witch Trials. In my opinion, Melissa did a great job of catching the scene and feelings associated with this time, which made the overall reading experience even better. It was also exciting to see what was occurring back in present day, especially when it involved my favorite characters: the pixies. The scenes with them and Freddie were always priceless!
What I liked the most about this book, though, was the ending. Melissa did a great of concluding the major storylines while also leaving room for potential development. In some ways, I really hope she does continue this series.
Sexy, compelling, and magical, Winds of Salem leaves little room for disappointment.
Grade: A
August 21, 2014
Slow start, but I got really into it at the end.
Since the last book, I realized with this series I have to just ignore the fact that they're supposed to be "gods" since they don't really act like gods at all. But, once I pushed that outta the way, I really enjoyed how this played out. In fact, I'm super sad now the series is over. I'm a huge fan of the show (which is kind of better than the books in a lot of ways!)
I would be open to the author writing more books and continuing this series. I have a weakness for witches! Until then, I'll get my fix by watching the show..
Since the last book, I realized with this series I have to just ignore the fact that they're supposed to be "gods" since they don't really act like gods at all. But, once I pushed that outta the way, I really enjoyed how this played out. In fact, I'm super sad now the series is over. I'm a huge fan of the show (which is kind of better than the books in a lot of ways!)
I would be open to the author writing more books and continuing this series. I have a weakness for witches! Until then, I'll get my fix by watching the show..
December 5, 2019
3.5, my least favorite book in the series but wrapped things up nicely and I enjoyed reading this author!
June 13, 2013
I received this book via NetGalley. In fact, this book was the reason I joined NetGalley. I was never particularly patient and when I saw that this third installment of the Witches of East End series was available I just couldn't help myself. Let me first begin by saying that I really enjoy this series. I also enjoyed de la Cruz's Blue Bloods series, of which this was a spin-off. Both series open up genres that are well trodden and create something entirely new. So, overall, it's safe to say I am a fan; both of this series and de la Cruz. This installment, however, was not the strongest link in the chain.
Starting just where 'Serpent's Kiss' ended, the Beauchamps, Norse gods and goddesses stuck in Midgard with magical abilities, are in a state of disarray. With Freddie cleared of the destruction of the bofrir everything should have been joyous, that is until Killian Gardiner, the fiance of youngest Beauchamp daughter, Freya, is taken away by the Valkyries and Freya herself is swept back to Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, a very bad time to be a witch, with no memories of who or what she is. Meanwhile back in North Hampton matriarch Joanna is finally ready to reconcile with her husband Norman, Ingrid has a crisis of nerves when she realizes she will far outlive her mortal love, Matt Noble, and Freddie is juggle a new, relatively bizarre, marriage and a group of homeless pixies. But soon the Beauchamps realize that their foe might be far more formidable than they originally thought, and to prevail they might have to go, quite literally, to Hell and back.
Now, clearly, I have already praised this series. I make no bones about liking it a lot. The premise is endlessly fun, and I was glad to hear they were turning it into a television series come the fall (though I am still wondering why no one's optioned Blue Bloods for the small screen, it was endlessly more original and entertaining than L.J. Smith). But it definitely has it's problems.
This one in particular. First off, it feels like it was written in a rush. The previous book came out not too long ago and in between that time the author has published a long awaited other spin-off from Blue Bloods about the Hounds of Hell and the final Blue Bloods novel. That's a lot in a year. I also reviewed 'Wolf Pact' (said spin-off), and complained of rushing, especially towards the end. Melissa de la Cruz has a massive following who clamor for her books. I think she also overextends herself. Working on three series at the same time is a lot, and she's the sort of writer that needs to take her time. I think it likely that her publisher wanted this book to come out because the upcoming television show will help boost sales. But that's not really that helpful if the work is sub-par. A lot of people have a lot of problems with this series, I have never really been one of them. I love the idea, though I can't always agree with the decisions that get made. This book shines every negative light and makes the issues glaring.
One thing that has plagued this series from the beginning is that it's meant to be for adults, but written by a primarily teen fiction writer. And you can tell. The plots are overly salacious, the language simplistic. Often they come off as teen fiction with a few sex scenes thrown in for good measure. This is not something that I generally have a problem with, because if de la Cruz has decided to write this in her normal fashion, for teenagers, I would still have read it. However, I can see how this would be problematic for the majority of readers.
Still, I can't say that I didn't like it. Despite their questionable decisions I do like these characters. I like the idea of them being Norse gods, I like their magic powers, I like their links to the past (though I'm not sure I ever needed to see the past, de la Cruz is good at what she does and what she does is not historical fiction). I read this book steadily and with interest, not analyzing it too much. Which is how these are meant to be read. They're fun. Go with it. But, still, not as good as one would have hoped.
Starting just where 'Serpent's Kiss' ended, the Beauchamps, Norse gods and goddesses stuck in Midgard with magical abilities, are in a state of disarray. With Freddie cleared of the destruction of the bofrir everything should have been joyous, that is until Killian Gardiner, the fiance of youngest Beauchamp daughter, Freya, is taken away by the Valkyries and Freya herself is swept back to Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, a very bad time to be a witch, with no memories of who or what she is. Meanwhile back in North Hampton matriarch Joanna is finally ready to reconcile with her husband Norman, Ingrid has a crisis of nerves when she realizes she will far outlive her mortal love, Matt Noble, and Freddie is juggle a new, relatively bizarre, marriage and a group of homeless pixies. But soon the Beauchamps realize that their foe might be far more formidable than they originally thought, and to prevail they might have to go, quite literally, to Hell and back.
Now, clearly, I have already praised this series. I make no bones about liking it a lot. The premise is endlessly fun, and I was glad to hear they were turning it into a television series come the fall (though I am still wondering why no one's optioned Blue Bloods for the small screen, it was endlessly more original and entertaining than L.J. Smith). But it definitely has it's problems.
This one in particular. First off, it feels like it was written in a rush. The previous book came out not too long ago and in between that time the author has published a long awaited other spin-off from Blue Bloods about the Hounds of Hell and the final Blue Bloods novel. That's a lot in a year. I also reviewed 'Wolf Pact' (said spin-off), and complained of rushing, especially towards the end. Melissa de la Cruz has a massive following who clamor for her books. I think she also overextends herself. Working on three series at the same time is a lot, and she's the sort of writer that needs to take her time. I think it likely that her publisher wanted this book to come out because the upcoming television show will help boost sales. But that's not really that helpful if the work is sub-par. A lot of people have a lot of problems with this series, I have never really been one of them. I love the idea, though I can't always agree with the decisions that get made. This book shines every negative light and makes the issues glaring.
One thing that has plagued this series from the beginning is that it's meant to be for adults, but written by a primarily teen fiction writer. And you can tell. The plots are overly salacious, the language simplistic. Often they come off as teen fiction with a few sex scenes thrown in for good measure. This is not something that I generally have a problem with, because if de la Cruz has decided to write this in her normal fashion, for teenagers, I would still have read it. However, I can see how this would be problematic for the majority of readers.
Still, I can't say that I didn't like it. Despite their questionable decisions I do like these characters. I like the idea of them being Norse gods, I like their magic powers, I like their links to the past (though I'm not sure I ever needed to see the past, de la Cruz is good at what she does and what she does is not historical fiction). I read this book steadily and with interest, not analyzing it too much. Which is how these are meant to be read. They're fun. Go with it. But, still, not as good as one would have hoped.
September 11, 2013
One of my favourite things to read is about Witches in Modern Society as I loved the hit show "Eastwick" based on the book "The Witches of Eastwick" and when I was younger, I really enjoyed Melissa De La Cruz's series "Blue Bloods" which featured Vampires, Archangels and Werewolves" So when I discovered she had written a new series, I knew I had to read it and it was a mixture between Eastwick and Charmed. At the end of Book #2 we saw the family which consisted of Norman - The Dad , Joanna - Mum , Sisters - Ingrid and Freya and Freya's twin - Freddie finally reunited after centuries of separation and a new installment to the family - Tyler. However, their happiness would be short-lived as we discover at the beginning of Book #3 Winds of Salem - Freya has been transported back in time to 1692 - the time of the Salem Witch Trials . The last time the family were in Salem , during the witch trials both Freya and Ingrid were hanged. Can Freya escape a second round of hanging or will fate not be so pleasant for her ? Can Ingrid along with the help of her resources find a way for Freya to come back in time or will Joanna's attempt at retrieving her daughter ensure a sad farewell to one of the members of the Beauchamp family ?
Also for those who are big fans of this series - It will be starting as a TV series on the Lifetime Channel on October 6th :)
August 14, 2013
Freya, Ingrid, and their mother saved their town and were reunited with their father and Freya’s twin brother. However before the family can rejoice in a happy family reunion they must rescue Freya.
Freya was transported back in time. A time when witch trials were a big thing. If Ingrid and her family can not find a way to save Freya, she will not survive to the present time again.
Winds of Salem is the latest book in the Witches of East End series. I have enjoyed reading these books and the Beauchamp family. I like Freya and Ingrid both equally for different reasons. Ingrid because she is like me…quiet, level headed, and has a big heart. Whereas Freya is wild and at times I can be a wild child as well.
I liked that this story was more focused on Freya this time. However I did feel like the story was more developed during Freya’s moments than the rest of the book. I found Ingrid to be dull and even with the appearance of Freya’s twin brother, Freddie, he could not peak my interest either. The story was steady until the last half and than it did pick up some. The ending was good. Overall not my favorite of the books in this series but still a good read. I can not wait to see the television series based on these books. A good choice to base a series on.
Freya was transported back in time. A time when witch trials were a big thing. If Ingrid and her family can not find a way to save Freya, she will not survive to the present time again.
Winds of Salem is the latest book in the Witches of East End series. I have enjoyed reading these books and the Beauchamp family. I like Freya and Ingrid both equally for different reasons. Ingrid because she is like me…quiet, level headed, and has a big heart. Whereas Freya is wild and at times I can be a wild child as well.
I liked that this story was more focused on Freya this time. However I did feel like the story was more developed during Freya’s moments than the rest of the book. I found Ingrid to be dull and even with the appearance of Freya’s twin brother, Freddie, he could not peak my interest either. The story was steady until the last half and than it did pick up some. The ending was good. Overall not my favorite of the books in this series but still a good read. I can not wait to see the television series based on these books. A good choice to base a series on.
August 23, 2013
I thought this book was a hot mess. I actually went back and read it twice because I thought it must have been my imagination. It just seemed so completely disjointed at times.
When I compare it to her Blue Bloods series it just seems like an entirely different person wrote it or perhaps Cruz lost her groove somewhere along the line.
If you haven't been following this series then the storyline might appear confusing, despite Cruz trying to fit in explanations of who the characters are or were in past and present.
There was a lack of character development, possibly due to multiple timelines and settings.
It was a shame because the time-skipping element was quite interesting in combination with the immortal Gods.
Being forced to live out various lifetimes in different characters and somehow always cursed to act out the same dramatic twisted relationships over and over again.
Sounds great in theory, not so spectacular in this book.
Overall I think it could have done with a little more attention to detail and flow.
It isn't quite what I expected from this author.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.
When I compare it to her Blue Bloods series it just seems like an entirely different person wrote it or perhaps Cruz lost her groove somewhere along the line.
If you haven't been following this series then the storyline might appear confusing, despite Cruz trying to fit in explanations of who the characters are or were in past and present.
There was a lack of character development, possibly due to multiple timelines and settings.
It was a shame because the time-skipping element was quite interesting in combination with the immortal Gods.
Being forced to live out various lifetimes in different characters and somehow always cursed to act out the same dramatic twisted relationships over and over again.
Sounds great in theory, not so spectacular in this book.
Overall I think it could have done with a little more attention to detail and flow.
It isn't quite what I expected from this author.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.
June 6, 2013
Salem has been done better, witches have been done better, and De La Cruz has done better. At times it was difficult to tells if it was meant to be a YA book with some adult themes and mainly adult characters, or if it was just a very juvenile book meant for adults. There are also a lot of weirdly specific and completely unnecessary details that end up making it seem like the author was struggling to fill the pages.
September 20, 2017
*2.5 Stars*
Not thrilled about the resolution. Was a bit of a let-down.
World Building: B+
Mythology: A+
Plot-Twists: B
Villains: B-
Girl Power: B
Guy-Hero: B+
Love-Interests: B+
Suspense: B
Feels: B+
For you clean-readers: this book DOES have mature content near the end of the book.
Not thrilled about the resolution. Was a bit of a let-down.
World Building: B+
Mythology: A+
Plot-Twists: B
Villains: B-
Girl Power: B
Guy-Hero: B+
Love-Interests: B+
Suspense: B
Feels: B+
For you clean-readers: this book DOES have mature content near the end of the book.
April 17, 2015
What a terrible book. I loved the first book in the trilogy and expected so much more from this book. I barely finished it. what a waste of time!!!!
June 3, 2019
ugh...no.
July 30, 2018
**My thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Books, for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**
I said yes to this book as initially it seemed like my kind of thing however after struggling to get through only 15% of the book, i just know that this is a DNF for me. The first in a long time.
The writing just does not pull me in, the intro was so full of information there was not way that i could remember the information provided to make sense of the book and it left me feeling confused.
I was actually bored whilst reading this as there was so much explanation it just felt like there was so much page filler before we were getting anywhere.
I will not be going back to this author.
I said yes to this book as initially it seemed like my kind of thing however after struggling to get through only 15% of the book, i just know that this is a DNF for me. The first in a long time.
The writing just does not pull me in, the intro was so full of information there was not way that i could remember the information provided to make sense of the book and it left me feeling confused.
I was actually bored whilst reading this as there was so much explanation it just felt like there was so much page filler before we were getting anywhere.
I will not be going back to this author.
March 26, 2019
The third and last book of the Witches of East End trilogy.
I'm sad it's over (I still have an ebook to read to finish this series) but there's also another series after this one (Summer on East End) and I can't wait to start that one.
Overall I've loved these books. I watched the tv series first and then I wanted to know everything so I started the books and they're so good!
It was a really good conclusion but there are a few things I want to keep reading in the next series!
I'm sad it's over (I still have an ebook to read to finish this series) but there's also another series after this one (Summer on East End) and I can't wait to start that one.
Overall I've loved these books. I watched the tv series first and then I wanted to know everything so I started the books and they're so good!
It was a really good conclusion but there are a few things I want to keep reading in the next series!
June 6, 2017
2.5 stars. A bit of a let-down ending to the trilogy. I still think they're fun, but I felt pretty meh by the end.
August 19, 2018
Love the book. Love the series. A little disappointed by the ending though...
June 8, 2018
It is important to know some of Norse Mythology to understand the plot of this book. In Melissa de la Cruz's world, there was a rivalry between the two Norse God tribes: Aesir (the warrior gods) and Vanir (the fertility gods). Aesir gods are Odin (god of wisdom and ruler of Asgard), his wife Frigg (goddess of marriage), and their children Balder (god of joy) and Loki (god of illusions). The Vanir gods are Njord (god of the sea), his wife Skadi (god of the sky), their children Erda (goddess of Earth), and twins Freya (goddess of love) and Freyr (god of the sun). Apparently, hundreds, if not thousands of years ago, the bridge between the worlds was destroyed and Freyr and Loki were imprisoned for those crimes. However, as punishment, the Vanir gods were all banished to Midgard/Earth to live out their immortal lives as powerful witches/warlocks, rather than gods.
At its core, this is simply a love story. Odin was originally in love with Skadi and therefore hated Njord and his family because he won Skadi. Then both of Odin's sons, Loki and Balder, were in love with Freya, who in turn chose Balder and that angered Loki so much that he chose to exact his revenge. Therefore, this entire trilogy is simply two different gods (Odin and Loki) exacting their revenge over losing goddesses they loved. While the show is about Loki's revenge against Balder and Freya.
However, the story we're given in book one, Witches of East End, takes place in a fictional New England town in Earth where the Norse God Ancestry is present, in that these characters remember who they were, but they are unaware of the revenge plots. Skadi and Njord are now Joanna and Norm Beauchamp. Their son Freddie (Freyr) is "gone" AKA imprisoned by Odin, but their daughters Ingrid (Erda) and Freya work in town and they all seem fairly happy. Freya is a bartender who puts a little magic into the drinks she mixes and she's happily engaged to Bran Gardiner, a rich philanthropist. Ingrid loves her job at the library where she works her magic to help the townsfolk who struggle in their day-to-day lives, while also beginning a courtship with the local, mortal detective, Matt Noble. Everything is turned on its head when people start mysteriously dying, disappearing, and Bran's brother, Killian, arrives. Freya and Killian have an instantaneous connection that causes her to begin an affair while Bran is away on business. It turns out that Bran is Loki and Killian is Balder, therefore, the end of the plot of the first book is the Beauchamp family prevening Loki from enacting Ragnorak as punishment for Freya choosing Balder. It ends on a happy note, Freya and Killian are engaged and these witches/warlocks now remember their past and are comfortable with their immortal lives on Earth. Until the first book ends with the cliffhanger of Freddie, Freya's twin arriving, claiming that Killian is the reason he was imprisoned and the cause of their banishment to Earth.
Enter book two, The Serpent's Kiss, Freya is torn between her true love with Killian and her love for her twin brother, Freddie. She spends the entire book trying to prove Freddie is wrong and Killian is not responsible for their banishment or his imprisonment. Essentially, she's trying to figure out how Loki Balder really is. At the same time, some spirit is haunting Joanna and this leads them to time-travel back to 1692 Salem, which did not end well when they originally lived through it (Freya and Ingrid were hung as witches). Everything seems to have worked at as Freya prooves Killian's innocence, but it is still a mystery as to what happened originally, and in addition, they are able to put the spirit connected to Joanna to rest. However, the book ends with Freya being pulled back and trapped in 1692 Salem.
Lastly, is book three, Winds of Salem, which is continuously alternating between four separate storylines: Freya in Salem 1692, Ingrid/Matt romance with Ingrid trying to free her sister, Freddie's love life and complications with trying to figure out what really happened that caused them to be banished, and Joanna/Norm trying to free their daughter. The series ends with Joanna and Norm giving up their lives for their children, Ingrid and Matt living happily everafter--for as long as possible since he is mortal and she is not, Freddie defeating Odin in one final blow, and Freya resigning herself to a three-way romance between Bran and Killian.
The summary itself is extensive but necessary to understand my review. I am as torn about this trilogy as Freya is about her love for Loki and Balder. I love Norse mythology and I love anything having to do with witches/warlocks. I enjoyed the first book, and I enjoyed most of the second book, but the third book drove me crazy. I feel like Melissa de la Cruz chose to do too much with her series and it suffered because of it. There was too much reference to Salem Witch Trials and that storyline that I feel the Norse Immortal Gods storyline was not developed the way it should have been. I wish Cruz had not included a spirit harassing Joanna that leads them to 1692 Salem. That entire part of the story that caused Freya to be trapped in 1692 for all of book three was pointless. It split the focus of the author and the reader and I believe the only reason she included it was because she must be fascinated with that time period and wanted to focus on the climax of witchcraft and drama.
I also really dislike the ending of the entire series. I don't like that the book literally ends with Freya admitting to loving both Bran/Loki and Killian/Balder, knowing someday she will have to choose between them, but refusing to do so at present. I feel that's a copout and diminishes her feelings for Balder/Killian. They clearly are not soulmates if she cannot definitively pick him.
Other areas the author included that should have had more detail, and could have if she'd had a clearer focus, are: She brings Thor into the third book as "Troy" and Ingrid/Erda's ex. Thor was in love with Erda, but Erda denied him because she knew his reputation. I would have loved to see this version of Thor expanded and have Troy's character established more. Ultimately, we get Ingrid choosing the mortal Matt over the immortal Thor and Troy being Freddie's travel buddy. Second, throughout the whole trilogy, Joanna has this plot with her maid's son. She takes care of him when his mother is out of town, she saves him when he "dies" and all of it is meant to represent her missing her son, Freddie. However, when Freddie returns in book two, this mortal child turns into a nuisance character instead and I don't understand his point. I also felt that Joanna was an insignificant character that drew away from the more interesting storylines of her children. In the show she had more depth, more spirit, and was connected to the more entertaining storylines; however, in the book she was boring.
I saw the show first. I enjoyed the show immensely and was very sad to hear it got canceled and there would not be a season three. However, the show was nothing like the books. For one, it was more focused on the Norse mythology connection and the witchcraft that was their form of magic on Midgard. It was more dramatic because the daughters could not remember who they were and it focused more on the idea that the daughters constantly die and are reborn, that is part of Joanna's curse. Part of Freya's curse is to find Killian/Balder in every lifetime and lose him in every life time. It was a heartbreaking star-cross lover storyline that I am not ashamed to admit, I was invested in. There was also an additional character of Wendy, Joanna's sister. She was a goddess as well and her magical abilities were that she was an animagous of sorts. She could transform into a black cat, and had a necklace that provided nine lives. The necklace changed color with each of her death's marking how many she had left. If it turned black it meant she was on her last life and when she died she would not return, but be trapped in the underworld. Unlike her sister and nieces, she was limited in her immortality. That was her punishment. Wendy brought much of the humor to the show and I enjoyed her character; therefore, I was very bummed to see she was not in the books. Lastly, the show juxtaposes the present storyline with flashbacks to the characters past lives fairly well. We only get enough to stay intrigued and see scenes related to whatever that current episode's plot is about.
I was drawn to this show for its Charmed-similarities and its Norse Mythology references. I also enjoyed its drama and mystery. Naturally, I read the books because I wanted to see what it was like and hoped to find closure from the terrible cliffhanger the show has, but sadly, the books disappointed me. I found the writing fine, but the plot and characters boring, predictable, and underdeveloped. I thought the whole story reeked of potential unreached, which is really disappointing because I've never seen a series that blended mythology and witchcraft in that way before. I hope to find more stories that do and if not I think I will write one. I'm thinking of focusing on Greek Mythology and Witchcraft, since it is Greek Mythology I know best.
I was reading reviews and people seemed to love Melissa de la Cruz's series and it was "received really well"--but I wonder, how many of her readers were people who loved her first series, Blue Blood--about vampires? I never read it because I don't read vampire texts, so I came into Witches of East End not a fan of the author, but of the genre. I wonder if she is just better suited for vampire drama since it turns out she's writing another vampire series as well. I fear the Witches of East End trilogy was Cruz's attempt to try something other than vampires and realize her talents lie elsewhere. However, she is also the author of the children's fairytale series, Descendants, which seems to be doing pretty well.
I enjoyed reading her texts, but I loved watching the show, and it did get me inspired again to write my modern fantasy. If you're starting out, I suggest watching the show and ignoring the books. Unless you prefer reading a story where you're introduced to so much, but left wanting so much more. Then again, fair warning, the show was cruelly canceled and we get a tragic cliffhanger that will never be fixed. I'm still upset about it and it's been a year. I'm not sure if I'd put this show in the same level of love as Firefly, I will say that my heartbreak at the unfinished story and cancelation of the show, is at the same level. And that's saying something.
At its core, this is simply a love story. Odin was originally in love with Skadi and therefore hated Njord and his family because he won Skadi. Then both of Odin's sons, Loki and Balder, were in love with Freya, who in turn chose Balder and that angered Loki so much that he chose to exact his revenge. Therefore, this entire trilogy is simply two different gods (Odin and Loki) exacting their revenge over losing goddesses they loved. While the show is about Loki's revenge against Balder and Freya.
However, the story we're given in book one, Witches of East End, takes place in a fictional New England town in Earth where the Norse God Ancestry is present, in that these characters remember who they were, but they are unaware of the revenge plots. Skadi and Njord are now Joanna and Norm Beauchamp. Their son Freddie (Freyr) is "gone" AKA imprisoned by Odin, but their daughters Ingrid (Erda) and Freya work in town and they all seem fairly happy. Freya is a bartender who puts a little magic into the drinks she mixes and she's happily engaged to Bran Gardiner, a rich philanthropist. Ingrid loves her job at the library where she works her magic to help the townsfolk who struggle in their day-to-day lives, while also beginning a courtship with the local, mortal detective, Matt Noble. Everything is turned on its head when people start mysteriously dying, disappearing, and Bran's brother, Killian, arrives. Freya and Killian have an instantaneous connection that causes her to begin an affair while Bran is away on business. It turns out that Bran is Loki and Killian is Balder, therefore, the end of the plot of the first book is the Beauchamp family prevening Loki from enacting Ragnorak as punishment for Freya choosing Balder. It ends on a happy note, Freya and Killian are engaged and these witches/warlocks now remember their past and are comfortable with their immortal lives on Earth. Until the first book ends with the cliffhanger of Freddie, Freya's twin arriving, claiming that Killian is the reason he was imprisoned and the cause of their banishment to Earth.
Enter book two, The Serpent's Kiss, Freya is torn between her true love with Killian and her love for her twin brother, Freddie. She spends the entire book trying to prove Freddie is wrong and Killian is not responsible for their banishment or his imprisonment. Essentially, she's trying to figure out how Loki Balder really is. At the same time, some spirit is haunting Joanna and this leads them to time-travel back to 1692 Salem, which did not end well when they originally lived through it (Freya and Ingrid were hung as witches). Everything seems to have worked at as Freya prooves Killian's innocence, but it is still a mystery as to what happened originally, and in addition, they are able to put the spirit connected to Joanna to rest. However, the book ends with Freya being pulled back and trapped in 1692 Salem.
Lastly, is book three, Winds of Salem, which is continuously alternating between four separate storylines: Freya in Salem 1692, Ingrid/Matt romance with Ingrid trying to free her sister, Freddie's love life and complications with trying to figure out what really happened that caused them to be banished, and Joanna/Norm trying to free their daughter. The series ends with Joanna and Norm giving up their lives for their children, Ingrid and Matt living happily everafter--for as long as possible since he is mortal and she is not, Freddie defeating Odin in one final blow, and Freya resigning herself to a three-way romance between Bran and Killian.
The summary itself is extensive but necessary to understand my review. I am as torn about this trilogy as Freya is about her love for Loki and Balder. I love Norse mythology and I love anything having to do with witches/warlocks. I enjoyed the first book, and I enjoyed most of the second book, but the third book drove me crazy. I feel like Melissa de la Cruz chose to do too much with her series and it suffered because of it. There was too much reference to Salem Witch Trials and that storyline that I feel the Norse Immortal Gods storyline was not developed the way it should have been. I wish Cruz had not included a spirit harassing Joanna that leads them to 1692 Salem. That entire part of the story that caused Freya to be trapped in 1692 for all of book three was pointless. It split the focus of the author and the reader and I believe the only reason she included it was because she must be fascinated with that time period and wanted to focus on the climax of witchcraft and drama.
I also really dislike the ending of the entire series. I don't like that the book literally ends with Freya admitting to loving both Bran/Loki and Killian/Balder, knowing someday she will have to choose between them, but refusing to do so at present. I feel that's a copout and diminishes her feelings for Balder/Killian. They clearly are not soulmates if she cannot definitively pick him.
Other areas the author included that should have had more detail, and could have if she'd had a clearer focus, are: She brings Thor into the third book as "Troy" and Ingrid/Erda's ex. Thor was in love with Erda, but Erda denied him because she knew his reputation. I would have loved to see this version of Thor expanded and have Troy's character established more. Ultimately, we get Ingrid choosing the mortal Matt over the immortal Thor and Troy being Freddie's travel buddy. Second, throughout the whole trilogy, Joanna has this plot with her maid's son. She takes care of him when his mother is out of town, she saves him when he "dies" and all of it is meant to represent her missing her son, Freddie. However, when Freddie returns in book two, this mortal child turns into a nuisance character instead and I don't understand his point. I also felt that Joanna was an insignificant character that drew away from the more interesting storylines of her children. In the show she had more depth, more spirit, and was connected to the more entertaining storylines; however, in the book she was boring.
I saw the show first. I enjoyed the show immensely and was very sad to hear it got canceled and there would not be a season three. However, the show was nothing like the books. For one, it was more focused on the Norse mythology connection and the witchcraft that was their form of magic on Midgard. It was more dramatic because the daughters could not remember who they were and it focused more on the idea that the daughters constantly die and are reborn, that is part of Joanna's curse. Part of Freya's curse is to find Killian/Balder in every lifetime and lose him in every life time. It was a heartbreaking star-cross lover storyline that I am not ashamed to admit, I was invested in. There was also an additional character of Wendy, Joanna's sister. She was a goddess as well and her magical abilities were that she was an animagous of sorts. She could transform into a black cat, and had a necklace that provided nine lives. The necklace changed color with each of her death's marking how many she had left. If it turned black it meant she was on her last life and when she died she would not return, but be trapped in the underworld. Unlike her sister and nieces, she was limited in her immortality. That was her punishment. Wendy brought much of the humor to the show and I enjoyed her character; therefore, I was very bummed to see she was not in the books. Lastly, the show juxtaposes the present storyline with flashbacks to the characters past lives fairly well. We only get enough to stay intrigued and see scenes related to whatever that current episode's plot is about.
I was drawn to this show for its Charmed-similarities and its Norse Mythology references. I also enjoyed its drama and mystery. Naturally, I read the books because I wanted to see what it was like and hoped to find closure from the terrible cliffhanger the show has, but sadly, the books disappointed me. I found the writing fine, but the plot and characters boring, predictable, and underdeveloped. I thought the whole story reeked of potential unreached, which is really disappointing because I've never seen a series that blended mythology and witchcraft in that way before. I hope to find more stories that do and if not I think I will write one. I'm thinking of focusing on Greek Mythology and Witchcraft, since it is Greek Mythology I know best.
I was reading reviews and people seemed to love Melissa de la Cruz's series and it was "received really well"--but I wonder, how many of her readers were people who loved her first series, Blue Blood--about vampires? I never read it because I don't read vampire texts, so I came into Witches of East End not a fan of the author, but of the genre. I wonder if she is just better suited for vampire drama since it turns out she's writing another vampire series as well. I fear the Witches of East End trilogy was Cruz's attempt to try something other than vampires and realize her talents lie elsewhere. However, she is also the author of the children's fairytale series, Descendants, which seems to be doing pretty well.
I enjoyed reading her texts, but I loved watching the show, and it did get me inspired again to write my modern fantasy. If you're starting out, I suggest watching the show and ignoring the books. Unless you prefer reading a story where you're introduced to so much, but left wanting so much more. Then again, fair warning, the show was cruelly canceled and we get a tragic cliffhanger that will never be fixed. I'm still upset about it and it's been a year. I'm not sure if I'd put this show in the same level of love as Firefly, I will say that my heartbreak at the unfinished story and cancelation of the show, is at the same level. And that's saying something.
April 18, 2015
Things nobody's interested in but that I am going to share anyway:
1) I am shelfing Winds of Salem under Young Adult because a) it suites me (April being Young Adult month for RMFAO members); b) Freya is sixteen in Salem in 1692, so technically she falls into the cahegory;
2) I was really reluctant, putting this last installment off, trying to avoid is for almost a year, because I was not excessively thrilled with Witches of East End and Serpent's Kiss; I actually got pretty pissed off, I just cannot decide if by the book series or the tv series, since I watched and then read;
3)I want to conclude some series I've started but left hanging this year, so I put Winds of Salem on my list;
The real thing: Review Ramblings
I really thought this series would conclude in a manner that would give me the chance of saying "yeah, I liked it, it made up for the previous installments".
Yeah, Mila, I know what you mean. We thought both wrong.
2-stars and I am being really generous. I started off liking the bits of Freya in the past - they are actually the best thing in this book, the reason for the 2-stars. The rest of the story was just bogus. It was all too convenient. I know those people are immortals, but this series didn't conclude anything: we went right back to the start. No decisions have been made, aside from Ingrid's. Freya ends up in a menage a trois that won't last beyond the week, Fryr just goes up and leaves, and the parents sacrifice themselves - for nothing, I'd venture to say. Joanna spoke the truth when she said that under this aspect her children were a disappointment.
I get it, they are gods, they have all the time to make decisions, but they are just so dumb. More than 5000 years of experience and they still act like teenagers. No, that's wrong: teenagers would have made far better decisions!
Rightly so: he's been dragged into this, made into a character (he actually was one of the least worst).
I really feel like Bradley Cooper in that scene of The Silver Linings Playbook
Blue Bloods and the rest of that series are on my TBR and I will definitely read them despite the huge disappointment I am feeling towards The Witches of East End.
1) I am shelfing Winds of Salem under Young Adult because a) it suites me (April being Young Adult month for RMFAO members); b) Freya is sixteen in Salem in 1692, so technically she falls into the cahegory;
2) I was really reluctant, putting this last installment off, trying to avoid is for almost a year, because I was not excessively thrilled with Witches of East End and Serpent's Kiss; I actually got pretty pissed off, I just cannot decide if by the book series or the tv series, since I watched and then read;
3)I want to conclude some series I've started but left hanging this year, so I put Winds of Salem on my list;
The real thing: Review Ramblings
I really thought this series would conclude in a manner that would give me the chance of saying "yeah, I liked it, it made up for the previous installments".
Yeah, Mila, I know what you mean. We thought both wrong.
2-stars and I am being really generous. I started off liking the bits of Freya in the past - they are actually the best thing in this book, the reason for the 2-stars. The rest of the story was just bogus. It was all too convenient. I know those people are immortals, but this series didn't conclude anything: we went right back to the start. No decisions have been made, aside from Ingrid's. Freya ends up in a menage a trois that won't last beyond the week, Fryr just goes up and leaves, and the parents sacrifice themselves - for nothing, I'd venture to say. Joanna spoke the truth when she said that under this aspect her children were a disappointment.
I get it, they are gods, they have all the time to make decisions, but they are just so dumb. More than 5000 years of experience and they still act like teenagers. No, that's wrong: teenagers would have made far better decisions!
Rightly so: he's been dragged into this, made into a character (he actually was one of the least worst).
I really feel like Bradley Cooper in that scene of The Silver Linings Playbook
Blue Bloods and the rest of that series are on my TBR and I will definitely read them despite the huge disappointment I am feeling towards The Witches of East End.
December 22, 2015
Personal Response:
This is a magical and romantic page turner. It is such an amazing book. The book flipped between the present and 1692 Salem. I liked that Ingrid and Matt stayed together and that Ingrid got to meet his daughter. They seem to get along very well. One thing that I wish the book told you at the end is if Freddie and Gert ever get back together.
Plot Summary:
At the end of the last book, Frey and Killian were taken away. Freya was taken back in time to 1692 during the Salem witch trials. When she got there she had no memories from her past. She is taken in by the Putnam family as a servant. She works with Mercy and Mr. Putnam's daughter, Annie. Frey is soon to be married by Nathaniel Brooks. She thought this man was Nate Brooks, but it was not. She refused to marry him, so she ran to the comfort of James Brewster. When they were spending time together she realized it was her soul mate, Balder. Balder, or Killian, was thought to be taken to Limbo but was really taken back in time with Freya. Freya and James are on the run because she is charged of being a witch.
While all this is happening in the past, in the present Ingrid is searching for a way to find her sister. She has been spending a lot of her time researching the Salem witch trials. When she is not researching she is spending time with each her mortal boyfriend, Matt. She finally got the chance to meet Matt's daughter, Maggie. They got along very well and Maggie loved to talk with her. Ingrid was afraid to meet her but was relieved when Maggie liked her. Matt and Ingrid began to grow closer.
As newlyweds, Freddie and Gert are in a rough patch. Matters are made worse when the pixies have to stay with them. They seem to never have time alone. When the pixies leave for a while to search for Freddie's trident, Freddie and Gert finally get some time together. Their marriage starts to get better, but Gert leaves because she needs to study. She is one semester away from graduating college. Freddie gets lonely and gets involved with other people.
Joanna and Norman have never had a stronger marriage. Thing are finally getting back to normal, but then Freya is taken away from them. They are frantic to save their daughter. They go to consult the Oracle. The Oracle informs them that if Freya is hung in the witch trials there is no way to get ther back. It she dies, the only way to get her back is to sacrifice another life. When Freya is hung Joanna quickly sacrifices herself to bring her daughter back. Norman also sacrificed his life to save Freddie. Freddie got himself into trouble when he fought Odin to get his trident back.
In the end Freya, Freddie, and Ingrid were orphans but they were together. Freddie got Odin's ring that allowed him to travel through to different worlds. He would visit his parents in the underworld from time to time.
Recommendation:
I think this is a girly book for high school aged to young adults. This is an over all good book and series. I very much recommend reading these books.
This is a magical and romantic page turner. It is such an amazing book. The book flipped between the present and 1692 Salem. I liked that Ingrid and Matt stayed together and that Ingrid got to meet his daughter. They seem to get along very well. One thing that I wish the book told you at the end is if Freddie and Gert ever get back together.
Plot Summary:
At the end of the last book, Frey and Killian were taken away. Freya was taken back in time to 1692 during the Salem witch trials. When she got there she had no memories from her past. She is taken in by the Putnam family as a servant. She works with Mercy and Mr. Putnam's daughter, Annie. Frey is soon to be married by Nathaniel Brooks. She thought this man was Nate Brooks, but it was not. She refused to marry him, so she ran to the comfort of James Brewster. When they were spending time together she realized it was her soul mate, Balder. Balder, or Killian, was thought to be taken to Limbo but was really taken back in time with Freya. Freya and James are on the run because she is charged of being a witch.
While all this is happening in the past, in the present Ingrid is searching for a way to find her sister. She has been spending a lot of her time researching the Salem witch trials. When she is not researching she is spending time with each her mortal boyfriend, Matt. She finally got the chance to meet Matt's daughter, Maggie. They got along very well and Maggie loved to talk with her. Ingrid was afraid to meet her but was relieved when Maggie liked her. Matt and Ingrid began to grow closer.
As newlyweds, Freddie and Gert are in a rough patch. Matters are made worse when the pixies have to stay with them. They seem to never have time alone. When the pixies leave for a while to search for Freddie's trident, Freddie and Gert finally get some time together. Their marriage starts to get better, but Gert leaves because she needs to study. She is one semester away from graduating college. Freddie gets lonely and gets involved with other people.
Joanna and Norman have never had a stronger marriage. Thing are finally getting back to normal, but then Freya is taken away from them. They are frantic to save their daughter. They go to consult the Oracle. The Oracle informs them that if Freya is hung in the witch trials there is no way to get ther back. It she dies, the only way to get her back is to sacrifice another life. When Freya is hung Joanna quickly sacrifices herself to bring her daughter back. Norman also sacrificed his life to save Freddie. Freddie got himself into trouble when he fought Odin to get his trident back.
In the end Freya, Freddie, and Ingrid were orphans but they were together. Freddie got Odin's ring that allowed him to travel through to different worlds. He would visit his parents in the underworld from time to time.
Recommendation:
I think this is a girly book for high school aged to young adults. This is an over all good book and series. I very much recommend reading these books.
September 16, 2021
Winds of Salem
Plot: Frey finds herself trapped in Salem as the servant girl of Thomas Putman’s family. She has no memories of her past. She becomes close with another servant girl by the name of Mercy and they both discover they hold an attraction for two handsome strangers in Salem Town (James and Nathaniel). Freya is in love with Nathaniel but also feels an attraction to James. During this time, she also discovers that she has magic. She eventually shares her secret with Mercy who tells the Parish’s girls Anne, Betty, and Abagail. Anne, Betty, and Abagail were recorded in history for being the ones who started the Salem Witch Trials. Freya relives this when she goes to deliver a package to the Parish and they have her read a pamphlet about a trial and a woman who was said to have bewitched two young girls. Anne, Mercy, Abby, and Betty take it as a joke and start to imitate the symptoms. Thomas Putman announces to Freya that Nathaniel has asked for her hand, but when he makes the announcement at the church it’s to his uncle Nathaniel Sr. Thomas won’t change his mind because of the nice sized dowry he’ll receive. So, Freya runs off and bumps into James. James reveals he’s Killian and her memories come back. They’re caught in the midst of making up by Mercy (who’s jealous) and she tells everyone that Freya bewitched James. Freya and James are found and accused of several crimes including murder (Nathaniel Sr was found dead of a broken heart). Freya, James, and Nathaniel are thrown into jail. Freya receives a visit by Nathaniel (Loki) who tried to help her escape by giving James money which got him caught. Freya then has a dream that she, Balder, and Loki have a three-sum. The passages are opened when Freddie gets his trident back and she returns home to New Hampshire and resumes working at the bar. She plans to just go with the flow where Killian and Bran are concerned.
Back home, Ingrid is reading up on the trials and becoming distant from Matt. She meets his daughter (Maggie) and makes a big impression on her by telling her about the witch trials. But later when she sees Matt out with Maggie’s mother (Marza) she becomes self-conscious, starts to feel like the third wheel, and leaves. So it again gets strained in her relationship. Hudson tells her that she shouldn’t feel that way and that Matt chooses her for a reason. He confesses while shopping for Tabitha’s shower that he and his boyfriend Scott have been talking about marriage. While out, they run into an old flame of her’s Troy (Thor). Thor escorts Ingrid back to Salem when the passages open. They learn from Abby that the trials were moved up when evidence was found of Freya being a witch (her diary)/ Freya and Troy plan to masquerade as rich relatives in hopes to buy Freya back from Thomas who also want the trial moves up because Nathaniel left all his money to her and he’s next in line to inherit it. From Abby, they learn what direction to look for Freya but they don’t find anything. Then it’s too late. Her name appears in the book and gives the date she was hung. Later we see Freddie, Freya, and Ingrid reunited. Ingrid and Matt finally make love. Everyone attends Hudson and Scott’s wedding and Joanna leaves Ingrid her house because she sees that there are babies in her and Matt’s future.
Joanna and Norman go on a trip to find Norman’s brother whose over the passages of time. Only to find him missing. So they go see the Oracle. The Oracle says that all magic has been in chaos and if Freya gets stuck in Salem Village whatever her fate is it will be permanent. But he tells her that there’s a fix (a life for a life). Joanna makes getting Tyler into a good school a top priority because she knows that she’ll be the one to sacrifice her life. When this is accomplished, she leaves behind a letter, swims out to the sea, and drowns herself. Norman later sees her and follows behind. They’re able to see Freddie and Freya one last time when Freya appears in the Underworld.
Freddie: Freddie marries Gert and things are rocky. They get better after he’s in an accident where he discovers he’s lost his ability to control flames. But ends up leaving him claiming she needs space to study for her doctrine. Freddie then takes Freya’s place at the bar and begins to take Kristy who also works at the bar. He gets close to her two kids, but Gert calls him wanting to get back together. Kristy dumps him because she knows it’s just a physical thing. Freddy gets paid a visit by the pixies who tell him that Loki’s snake has his trident. By solving the snake's riddle he gets the trident back and his power returns but kills him (and the snake in the process). When he wakes up the trident is missing. He finds it in the Underworld with Odin whose lured him there with the help of the pixies. Odin was the one all along behind the bridge's collapse. Norman shows up and it’s revealed Odin was trying to get revenge on not only his own sons (Loki and Balder) but the Beauchamp family because Norman won Joanna instead of him. One of the Pixies blinds Odin and Freddie retrieves his trident. In the end, he is given Odin’s ring and leaves North Hampshire to visit the nine worlds. He decides he’s not ready to settle down and calls it off with Gert and Kristy.
My Thoughts: This was longer than it needed to be! It took me a long time to want to read this a second time. While the chapters are short, the material is HEAVY. Reading (or watching) material about Salem is educational but never truly enjoyable. So this felt TIRING! One reason was because I felt like some of the stuff in the chapters didn’t forward the plot and made it drag. For instance, the chapter where the pixies played a joke on Gert’s friend. There was Joanna and Norman’s trip that felt unnecessary because they never found his brother. They never even said what happened to the brother. Why not have had them just go to the Oracle first? Why waste time on all the schools Tyler visited and what he did there? The reason for this *was* explained at the end of why it was important but I felt like too much time was wasted on it. The main story was about Freya stuck in Salem. Then there was Ingrid’s drama with Matt. All this scattered, excessive, content got in the way of the plot. I felt like since it was the last book in the series, the author was trying to jam everything in to tie things up. Joanna’s part was the most touching. What Norman did was romantic and emotional. (They died in the ocean together with their arms wrapped around each other). Freddie’s part didn’t get exciting until the snake. Then I had to roll my eyes because “I stole the trident because I was bored” was just LAME! We wait all that time to find out who stole the trident and why and *that’s* the answer we get. Odin’s reason was a lot more villainous. I’m actually glad Freddie didn’t choose Gert. I HATE when people walk away only to come back later with a sob story. Although Freddie has never been my favorite character he gets points for that. Even though I thought Freya was careless initially, on this read I sympathize with her friend betraying her trust like that, and I’ll excuse her because she couldn’t have known that Mercy was a snitch bitch. I think we’ve all had people in our lives that we felt like we could trust but then found out down the line we wished we’d trusted them a little less. I didn’t really think anything about Ingrid’s relationship drama with Matt. Ingrid fears Matt won’t be enough and she’ll live forever and he’ll die (shrugs). Ingrid meets Matt’s daughter and wants to make a good impression (shrugs). Ingrid is insecure over Matt’s ex (shrugs). Ingrid wonders if she should choose Thor over Matt (shrugs). Ingrid really wants to have a baby (shrugs). Hudson tho was funny. He had some pretty good lines! But all the marriage stuff and the baby stuff I was pretty indifferent to it.
Rating: 5
Plot: Frey finds herself trapped in Salem as the servant girl of Thomas Putman’s family. She has no memories of her past. She becomes close with another servant girl by the name of Mercy and they both discover they hold an attraction for two handsome strangers in Salem Town (James and Nathaniel). Freya is in love with Nathaniel but also feels an attraction to James. During this time, she also discovers that she has magic. She eventually shares her secret with Mercy who tells the Parish’s girls Anne, Betty, and Abagail. Anne, Betty, and Abagail were recorded in history for being the ones who started the Salem Witch Trials. Freya relives this when she goes to deliver a package to the Parish and they have her read a pamphlet about a trial and a woman who was said to have bewitched two young girls. Anne, Mercy, Abby, and Betty take it as a joke and start to imitate the symptoms. Thomas Putman announces to Freya that Nathaniel has asked for her hand, but when he makes the announcement at the church it’s to his uncle Nathaniel Sr. Thomas won’t change his mind because of the nice sized dowry he’ll receive. So, Freya runs off and bumps into James. James reveals he’s Killian and her memories come back. They’re caught in the midst of making up by Mercy (who’s jealous) and she tells everyone that Freya bewitched James. Freya and James are found and accused of several crimes including murder (Nathaniel Sr was found dead of a broken heart). Freya, James, and Nathaniel are thrown into jail. Freya receives a visit by Nathaniel (Loki) who tried to help her escape by giving James money which got him caught. Freya then has a dream that she, Balder, and Loki have a three-sum. The passages are opened when Freddie gets his trident back and she returns home to New Hampshire and resumes working at the bar. She plans to just go with the flow where Killian and Bran are concerned.
Back home, Ingrid is reading up on the trials and becoming distant from Matt. She meets his daughter (Maggie) and makes a big impression on her by telling her about the witch trials. But later when she sees Matt out with Maggie’s mother (Marza) she becomes self-conscious, starts to feel like the third wheel, and leaves. So it again gets strained in her relationship. Hudson tells her that she shouldn’t feel that way and that Matt chooses her for a reason. He confesses while shopping for Tabitha’s shower that he and his boyfriend Scott have been talking about marriage. While out, they run into an old flame of her’s Troy (Thor). Thor escorts Ingrid back to Salem when the passages open. They learn from Abby that the trials were moved up when evidence was found of Freya being a witch (her diary)/ Freya and Troy plan to masquerade as rich relatives in hopes to buy Freya back from Thomas who also want the trial moves up because Nathaniel left all his money to her and he’s next in line to inherit it. From Abby, they learn what direction to look for Freya but they don’t find anything. Then it’s too late. Her name appears in the book and gives the date she was hung. Later we see Freddie, Freya, and Ingrid reunited. Ingrid and Matt finally make love. Everyone attends Hudson and Scott’s wedding and Joanna leaves Ingrid her house because she sees that there are babies in her and Matt’s future.
Joanna and Norman go on a trip to find Norman’s brother whose over the passages of time. Only to find him missing. So they go see the Oracle. The Oracle says that all magic has been in chaos and if Freya gets stuck in Salem Village whatever her fate is it will be permanent. But he tells her that there’s a fix (a life for a life). Joanna makes getting Tyler into a good school a top priority because she knows that she’ll be the one to sacrifice her life. When this is accomplished, she leaves behind a letter, swims out to the sea, and drowns herself. Norman later sees her and follows behind. They’re able to see Freddie and Freya one last time when Freya appears in the Underworld.
Freddie: Freddie marries Gert and things are rocky. They get better after he’s in an accident where he discovers he’s lost his ability to control flames. But ends up leaving him claiming she needs space to study for her doctrine. Freddie then takes Freya’s place at the bar and begins to take Kristy who also works at the bar. He gets close to her two kids, but Gert calls him wanting to get back together. Kristy dumps him because she knows it’s just a physical thing. Freddy gets paid a visit by the pixies who tell him that Loki’s snake has his trident. By solving the snake's riddle he gets the trident back and his power returns but kills him (and the snake in the process). When he wakes up the trident is missing. He finds it in the Underworld with Odin whose lured him there with the help of the pixies. Odin was the one all along behind the bridge's collapse. Norman shows up and it’s revealed Odin was trying to get revenge on not only his own sons (Loki and Balder) but the Beauchamp family because Norman won Joanna instead of him. One of the Pixies blinds Odin and Freddie retrieves his trident. In the end, he is given Odin’s ring and leaves North Hampshire to visit the nine worlds. He decides he’s not ready to settle down and calls it off with Gert and Kristy.
My Thoughts: This was longer than it needed to be! It took me a long time to want to read this a second time. While the chapters are short, the material is HEAVY. Reading (or watching) material about Salem is educational but never truly enjoyable. So this felt TIRING! One reason was because I felt like some of the stuff in the chapters didn’t forward the plot and made it drag. For instance, the chapter where the pixies played a joke on Gert’s friend. There was Joanna and Norman’s trip that felt unnecessary because they never found his brother. They never even said what happened to the brother. Why not have had them just go to the Oracle first? Why waste time on all the schools Tyler visited and what he did there? The reason for this *was* explained at the end of why it was important but I felt like too much time was wasted on it. The main story was about Freya stuck in Salem. Then there was Ingrid’s drama with Matt. All this scattered, excessive, content got in the way of the plot. I felt like since it was the last book in the series, the author was trying to jam everything in to tie things up. Joanna’s part was the most touching. What Norman did was romantic and emotional. (They died in the ocean together with their arms wrapped around each other). Freddie’s part didn’t get exciting until the snake. Then I had to roll my eyes because “I stole the trident because I was bored” was just LAME! We wait all that time to find out who stole the trident and why and *that’s* the answer we get. Odin’s reason was a lot more villainous. I’m actually glad Freddie didn’t choose Gert. I HATE when people walk away only to come back later with a sob story. Although Freddie has never been my favorite character he gets points for that. Even though I thought Freya was careless initially, on this read I sympathize with her friend betraying her trust like that, and I’ll excuse her because she couldn’t have known that Mercy was a snitch bitch. I think we’ve all had people in our lives that we felt like we could trust but then found out down the line we wished we’d trusted them a little less. I didn’t really think anything about Ingrid’s relationship drama with Matt. Ingrid fears Matt won’t be enough and she’ll live forever and he’ll die (shrugs). Ingrid meets Matt’s daughter and wants to make a good impression (shrugs). Ingrid is insecure over Matt’s ex (shrugs). Ingrid wonders if she should choose Thor over Matt (shrugs). Ingrid really wants to have a baby (shrugs). Hudson tho was funny. He had some pretty good lines! But all the marriage stuff and the baby stuff I was pretty indifferent to it.
Rating: 5
August 6, 2013
3.5 Stars
I have been looking forward to reading the third installment in the Witches of East End as soon as I knew it would be concentrating on the Salem Witch trials when Freya was thrust back in time in the second book and I admit, I couldn't wait. The history buff in me was dying to know more. I wanted the world that Freya and Ingrid most remembered to be fleshed out and real. I wanted to know what happened. How they were accused of being witches and what lead up to their deaths. Only this time, I knew things would be different, they wouldn't all play out like they had once before. I knew Freya being there again would change things. What I didn’t' count on was the fact that with Freya going back, her memories also were lost. She had no idea who she was or why she was there and I knew I was going to love reading about it all and it unfolded.
Mercy was an interesting character and I couldn’t help but be intrigued by her from the very beginning. A naughty girl in a time when everything was suppose to be pure and innocent and completely harmless. A time when woman started to speak out and become jealous and vengeful of those around them. A time when the Puritans weren't so pure and it seemed like they were all living a facade.
The whole Salem trials and accusations really was my favorite part of this whole book. I loved watching how everything evolved and grew into the ugliness we have all come to know about. How jealously, revenge and loss can make us all do terrible things if we let them get the better of us.
I love that this bounced back and forth between Salem and the present with Freya's family all struggling with the loss of their powers and trying to get Freya and Killian back.
It was nice seeing not only their devotion to one another but seeing their lives and relationship evolve with one another as well with those around them as they each struggled with not knowing what the future would hold.
I had no idea going into this that this was the last book in the series, or at least, with the way it ended I am assuming it was the last book. Everyone was pretty much settled in one way or another as much as Immortal gods and goddesses can be at any rate.
While I loved all the history and growth of the characters the ending did feel a little rushed, not quite as drawn out as the other two books in the series and like I mentioned, having no idea this (is more than likely) the last book in the series. I am a little sad it is already over with. While I am happy with the way it ended it would have been nice to see a little more, but then again, I guess that is what imaginations are for.
Overall I have enjoyed the Beauchamp family and look forward to reading whatever de la Cruz has in store for us in the future.
I have been looking forward to reading the third installment in the Witches of East End as soon as I knew it would be concentrating on the Salem Witch trials when Freya was thrust back in time in the second book and I admit, I couldn't wait. The history buff in me was dying to know more. I wanted the world that Freya and Ingrid most remembered to be fleshed out and real. I wanted to know what happened. How they were accused of being witches and what lead up to their deaths. Only this time, I knew things would be different, they wouldn't all play out like they had once before. I knew Freya being there again would change things. What I didn’t' count on was the fact that with Freya going back, her memories also were lost. She had no idea who she was or why she was there and I knew I was going to love reading about it all and it unfolded.
Mercy was an interesting character and I couldn’t help but be intrigued by her from the very beginning. A naughty girl in a time when everything was suppose to be pure and innocent and completely harmless. A time when woman started to speak out and become jealous and vengeful of those around them. A time when the Puritans weren't so pure and it seemed like they were all living a facade.
The whole Salem trials and accusations really was my favorite part of this whole book. I loved watching how everything evolved and grew into the ugliness we have all come to know about. How jealously, revenge and loss can make us all do terrible things if we let them get the better of us.
I love that this bounced back and forth between Salem and the present with Freya's family all struggling with the loss of their powers and trying to get Freya and Killian back.
It was nice seeing not only their devotion to one another but seeing their lives and relationship evolve with one another as well with those around them as they each struggled with not knowing what the future would hold.
I had no idea going into this that this was the last book in the series, or at least, with the way it ended I am assuming it was the last book. Everyone was pretty much settled in one way or another as much as Immortal gods and goddesses can be at any rate.
While I loved all the history and growth of the characters the ending did feel a little rushed, not quite as drawn out as the other two books in the series and like I mentioned, having no idea this (is more than likely) the last book in the series. I am a little sad it is already over with. While I am happy with the way it ended it would have been nice to see a little more, but then again, I guess that is what imaginations are for.
Overall I have enjoyed the Beauchamp family and look forward to reading whatever de la Cruz has in store for us in the future.
October 19, 2013
Posted first on Blog Critics as Book Review:'Winds of Salem' by Melissa De La Cruz
When a magic spell casts Freya Beauchamp back to 1692 Salem, she is locked in a time when witches are being persecuted. In Winds of Salem by Melissa De La Cruz, we follow the life of a young Freya as she finds the tides against her changing.
De La Cruz moves through the story from present to past and back again in an effort for those who searching for Freya to find the reasoning for the transference. When first going through the witch trials of Salem, while she died as did many did, they were able to come back at another time and place. This time though, if they cannot change the fate of Freya, she will die with no return. The rips in the fabric of time and the strange power surges make rescue impossible.
Can Freya resist the urge to use her power, or will she be caught up again and lose her life in the historical challenge of the witch trials. Her family is working all venues to try and find the answers, hoping that she will make the right decisions, yet knowing that with no memory of prior events she will not understand the possible consequences of her actions.
The characters are the same ones we have come to know through her Witches of East End series, full of fun and devilment, yet now a darker twist adds a foreboding suspense that will hold you in thrall. To save Freya, her family must face some danger of their own, casting a wide net of inevitability to the possible consequences of being caught up in the machinations of those trying to destroy them.
The shift between times and places is done smoothly, and the description of events keeps you on the edge of your seat as the Beauchamp family tries to right the magic.
IF you enjoy the Witches of East End series, you will really enjoy this work which takes you back in the history of the family. If you love suspense and magic you will find both with a clever dash of humor that weaves throughout and relieves a bit of the tenseness, yet the danger is always close to the surface.
This would be a great book for a book club or reading group.
When a magic spell casts Freya Beauchamp back to 1692 Salem, she is locked in a time when witches are being persecuted. In Winds of Salem by Melissa De La Cruz, we follow the life of a young Freya as she finds the tides against her changing.
De La Cruz moves through the story from present to past and back again in an effort for those who searching for Freya to find the reasoning for the transference. When first going through the witch trials of Salem, while she died as did many did, they were able to come back at another time and place. This time though, if they cannot change the fate of Freya, she will die with no return. The rips in the fabric of time and the strange power surges make rescue impossible.
Can Freya resist the urge to use her power, or will she be caught up again and lose her life in the historical challenge of the witch trials. Her family is working all venues to try and find the answers, hoping that she will make the right decisions, yet knowing that with no memory of prior events she will not understand the possible consequences of her actions.
The characters are the same ones we have come to know through her Witches of East End series, full of fun and devilment, yet now a darker twist adds a foreboding suspense that will hold you in thrall. To save Freya, her family must face some danger of their own, casting a wide net of inevitability to the possible consequences of being caught up in the machinations of those trying to destroy them.
The shift between times and places is done smoothly, and the description of events keeps you on the edge of your seat as the Beauchamp family tries to right the magic.
IF you enjoy the Witches of East End series, you will really enjoy this work which takes you back in the history of the family. If you love suspense and magic you will find both with a clever dash of humor that weaves throughout and relieves a bit of the tenseness, yet the danger is always close to the surface.
This would be a great book for a book club or reading group.
Read
March 1, 2014Awful.
Awful.
Did I mention that this book was awful?
Because it was.
It was so confusing and very boring.
The plot was that Freya was sent back to Salem in 1692 with no memory of her prior life. For some reason, she took all of the known magic with her leaving her family near mortality. Who sent her back? It might have been Loki. Killian got stuck there too but his memory was intact but he's going under an alias as is Loki.
In the present, Ingrid has doubts over her relationship with Matt when she sees how close he is with his daughter's mother, Mariza. Also, the Norse God Thor, a former flame of Ingrid's visits. Meanwhile, Norman and Joanna consult with an Oracle about Freya's return and Freddie and Gert face marital problems.
Uh. Winds of Salem was a truly terrible ending to this trilogy. I don't know which irked me more (SPOILERS AHOY):
Joanna's unhealthy attachment to Tyler and his behavior at the private school.
Odin being revealed as the all powerful puppetmaster and then being defeated when a glare got in his weakened eye.
The forced Thor and Ingrid relationship that had no chemistry whatsoever. How is it possible two characters written to have chemistry don't?
Freddie, committing a douchebag move, killing Loki's snake kid with the same Trident the snake kid had given back to him.
The above douchebag move causes an explosion killing Freddie in the process.
Norman giving his life so his doucebag son can live again.
The beginning of the universe love sex orgy between Freya, Killian, and Loki. The explanation given for this was to turn Loki's jealousy back to love again.
WTF?
The saccahrine ending with Hudson's and Scott's wedding and Ingrid musing her upcoming wedding to Matt.
The vague ending with Freya, Killian, and Loki in the bar.
My time spent reading this blatant senseless killing of trees.
I really hope this was the end of the Witches of East End series. I should have never made it this far when I didn't like the first one. I was lured by the intriguing idea of the Norse mythology. It really is a shame because this series really could have been really good. I'll stick with the Lifetime show.
Awful.
Did I mention that this book was awful?
Because it was.
It was so confusing and very boring.
The plot was that Freya was sent back to Salem in 1692 with no memory of her prior life. For some reason, she took all of the known magic with her leaving her family near mortality. Who sent her back? It might have been Loki. Killian got stuck there too but his memory was intact but he's going under an alias as is Loki.
In the present, Ingrid has doubts over her relationship with Matt when she sees how close he is with his daughter's mother, Mariza. Also, the Norse God Thor, a former flame of Ingrid's visits. Meanwhile, Norman and Joanna consult with an Oracle about Freya's return and Freddie and Gert face marital problems.
Uh. Winds of Salem was a truly terrible ending to this trilogy. I don't know which irked me more (SPOILERS AHOY):
Joanna's unhealthy attachment to Tyler and his behavior at the private school.
Odin being revealed as the all powerful puppetmaster and then being defeated when a glare got in his weakened eye.
The forced Thor and Ingrid relationship that had no chemistry whatsoever. How is it possible two characters written to have chemistry don't?
Freddie, committing a douchebag move, killing Loki's snake kid with the same Trident the snake kid had given back to him.
The above douchebag move causes an explosion killing Freddie in the process.
Norman giving his life so his doucebag son can live again.
The beginning of the universe love sex orgy between Freya, Killian, and Loki. The explanation given for this was to turn Loki's jealousy back to love again.
WTF?
The saccahrine ending with Hudson's and Scott's wedding and Ingrid musing her upcoming wedding to Matt.
The vague ending with Freya, Killian, and Loki in the bar.
My time spent reading this blatant senseless killing of trees.
I really hope this was the end of the Witches of East End series. I should have never made it this far when I didn't like the first one. I was lured by the intriguing idea of the Norse mythology. It really is a shame because this series really could have been really good. I'll stick with the Lifetime show.
August 3, 2013
I don't always like witch books, but I really adore this series. Winds of Salem is no exception. Melissa de la Cruz is an excellent author, and this series is fantastic. The characterization and character growth is top notch and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat. De la Cruz's writing is phenomenal. I actually felt as if I was moving between colonial Salem and present-day, and believably switching between multiple POVs and time periods could not have been easy to write. The ending itself is satisfying. Fans of the series will devour this novel.
The characters each evolve believably throughout the course of the novel. I really connected with Freya (she's my favorite anyway, though) this time around. I enjoyed seeing colonial Salem with her, and I love how she changed from her experiences. I also really liked Joanna in this installment. Freddie, Norm, and Ingrid all stand out and are well-developed, but I just didn't connect to them as well.
The plot is complex and intriguing. I was hooked from the first page and unable to put this book down. I particularly loved de la Cruz's portrayal of colonial Salem. I'm a big history dork, and I absolutely adore Salem (I was actually there earlier this summer). It's clear that de la Cruz did some research before writing Freya's parts. I also like how she broke the book into sections, which allowed her to develop each section more fully. The ending is satisfying. It ties up the major plot points, but leaves room for a sequel. I'm not sure if this series is continuing or not, but if de la Cruz ever wants to revisit this world, there is room for that to happen.
Overall, I'd recommend this book and series to people who enjoy de la Cruz's Blue Bloods series as well as people who love witch books. This series has just been optioned for a Lifetime TV series. Hurry up and read the books before the TV show starts!
The characters each evolve believably throughout the course of the novel. I really connected with Freya (she's my favorite anyway, though) this time around. I enjoyed seeing colonial Salem with her, and I love how she changed from her experiences. I also really liked Joanna in this installment. Freddie, Norm, and Ingrid all stand out and are well-developed, but I just didn't connect to them as well.
The plot is complex and intriguing. I was hooked from the first page and unable to put this book down. I particularly loved de la Cruz's portrayal of colonial Salem. I'm a big history dork, and I absolutely adore Salem (I was actually there earlier this summer). It's clear that de la Cruz did some research before writing Freya's parts. I also like how she broke the book into sections, which allowed her to develop each section more fully. The ending is satisfying. It ties up the major plot points, but leaves room for a sequel. I'm not sure if this series is continuing or not, but if de la Cruz ever wants to revisit this world, there is room for that to happen.
Overall, I'd recommend this book and series to people who enjoy de la Cruz's Blue Bloods series as well as people who love witch books. This series has just been optioned for a Lifetime TV series. Hurry up and read the books before the TV show starts!
August 6, 2013
I was eagerly anticipating this book and I was overjoyed to receive an advance copy from NetGalley.
I really enjoyed this series and Ms. de la Cruz's writing. I liked the Blue Blood series and for the most part felt that every installment was superior to the last. However, when I read the The Witches of East End, I was blown away. It reminded me of the gothic lit I read years ago - but it was so much better.
I did not like the Winds of Salem as much as the first two books in the series. It felt a little rushed and maybe in too much of a hurry to tie up all the loose ends. That being said, I still fell right back into the Beauchamp's story. This book did what I consider a good book does - it awakened my curiosity. I ran to google more than once to read about the Salem Witch trials, Cotton Mather, Norse mythology, etc. I hadn't read much about these subjects since 6th grade and I learned many interesting bits of useless information. For example, one of the last persons arrested under the Witchcraft Act of 1735 was arrested in the 1940's (Helen Duncan). Who knew.....fascinating...
I do not like to pick books apart or look for inconsistencies - that takes away from my becoming immersed in the story which to me is the point of fiction. If I can't immerse myself in the story, I can't read a book. The Winds of Salem was a comfortable read with a new mix of old history and mythology. I feel the characters were left at a point where I could be content that they would go on or they could be brought back for another book or show up in new series (it is so hard to let go of characters that we are familiar with!).
And I can't wait to see what Lifetime does with this series!
I really enjoyed this series and Ms. de la Cruz's writing. I liked the Blue Blood series and for the most part felt that every installment was superior to the last. However, when I read the The Witches of East End, I was blown away. It reminded me of the gothic lit I read years ago - but it was so much better.
I did not like the Winds of Salem as much as the first two books in the series. It felt a little rushed and maybe in too much of a hurry to tie up all the loose ends. That being said, I still fell right back into the Beauchamp's story. This book did what I consider a good book does - it awakened my curiosity. I ran to google more than once to read about the Salem Witch trials, Cotton Mather, Norse mythology, etc. I hadn't read much about these subjects since 6th grade and I learned many interesting bits of useless information. For example, one of the last persons arrested under the Witchcraft Act of 1735 was arrested in the 1940's (Helen Duncan). Who knew.....fascinating...
I do not like to pick books apart or look for inconsistencies - that takes away from my becoming immersed in the story which to me is the point of fiction. If I can't immerse myself in the story, I can't read a book. The Winds of Salem was a comfortable read with a new mix of old history and mythology. I feel the characters were left at a point where I could be content that they would go on or they could be brought back for another book or show up in new series (it is so hard to let go of characters that we are familiar with!).
And I can't wait to see what Lifetime does with this series!
October 31, 2013
So we finally reach then end of this journey. The confusing story lines where just simply putting a name at the top of the chapters could have helped keep the story following a little better or not so many POVs since you basically get every Beauchamp's view possible!
We meet just about all the most popular Norse gods and goddesses, have some time travel, and mention yet again of Melissa's Blue blood characters. I did read the whole series but i'm one of those people who have to read them all otherwise it will bother me.
Freya manages to yet again find herself in Salem a victim (or not) of the witch trials, stuck between Loki and Balder, and can't remember who she is.
Ingrid's old flame Thor (Troy) comes into the picture why? nto really sure felt it was very unnecessary since she was already insecure over Matt's Baby mama. So lets add some revenge? The two must travel back to save Freya but prove useless in teh whole thing. I truly felt we didn't need Ingrid's part except her HEA with Matt.
Freddy's life is uproarous too. Gert isn't as perfect as he thought, he has custody of the pixies and he's still looking for his trident. Lets add Gert leaving, Kristy the bartender, and a trip to hell? Yep thats right.
I'm not even gonna get started on Tyler, Joanna, and Norman. I just feel this whole series was unorganized, messed up, and dragged out only to be crammed with information at the end to bring it all together and of course the Cliff hanger leaning into the next book.
Each book could have been the whole story written in one's POV. I just dont know.... I'm sad. I really did want to like this series.
We meet just about all the most popular Norse gods and goddesses, have some time travel, and mention yet again of Melissa's Blue blood characters. I did read the whole series but i'm one of those people who have to read them all otherwise it will bother me.
Freya manages to yet again find herself in Salem a victim (or not) of the witch trials, stuck between Loki and Balder, and can't remember who she is.
Ingrid's old flame Thor (Troy) comes into the picture why? nto really sure felt it was very unnecessary since she was already insecure over Matt's Baby mama. So lets add some revenge? The two must travel back to save Freya but prove useless in teh whole thing. I truly felt we didn't need Ingrid's part except her HEA with Matt.
Freddy's life is uproarous too. Gert isn't as perfect as he thought, he has custody of the pixies and he's still looking for his trident. Lets add Gert leaving, Kristy the bartender, and a trip to hell? Yep thats right.
I'm not even gonna get started on Tyler, Joanna, and Norman. I just feel this whole series was unorganized, messed up, and dragged out only to be crammed with information at the end to bring it all together and of course the Cliff hanger leaning into the next book.
Each book could have been the whole story written in one's POV. I just dont know.... I'm sad. I really did want to like this series.
February 8, 2017
So, I bought all three of these books secondhand after watching the Lifetime series... and I'm very glad that I bought them secondhand I enjoyed the television series, but in all honesty, I had some issues with the books. The author has a terrible habit of drawing out the stories and then throwing all the action into the last couple of dozen pages.
Winds of Salem concludes, for now, the trilogy following the Beauchamp family of witches/Norse gods. It's entertaining... but lacks depth when it comes to the characters... especially the secondary characters. De la Cruz has created a fun world but then populates it with a plethora of paper cut-outs. Many sub-plots are opened, only to see the reader left hanging without resolution. Perhaps it's a tactic to keep the reader buying the next book in the series... but honestly, I've lost interest.
I'm glad to have finished the series... but sad that this popcorn series ended up being more work than it needed to be.
On the plus side, I enjoyed the time jumps, but again... not enough happened!
Winds of Salem concludes, for now, the trilogy following the Beauchamp family of witches/Norse gods. It's entertaining... but lacks depth when it comes to the characters... especially the secondary characters. De la Cruz has created a fun world but then populates it with a plethora of paper cut-outs. Many sub-plots are opened, only to see the reader left hanging without resolution. Perhaps it's a tactic to keep the reader buying the next book in the series... but honestly, I've lost interest.
I'm glad to have finished the series... but sad that this popcorn series ended up being more work than it needed to be.
On the plus side, I enjoyed the time jumps, but again... not enough happened!
August 8, 2013
This is the third volume in the Witches of East End series. The passages of time are closed with Freya Beauchamp stuck in 1692 with no way to get back. Freya must relive the horror of the Salem witch trials while her parents frantically try to reopen the passages and rescue her. If they don't succeed, Freya's life will be forfeited forever. Being immortal will not help her this time and she'll never be reborn again.
This story opens in 1692 and I was immediately pulled into the story. I loved Freya's character as we're given a glimpse of what life in Puritan Salem was like for young maids. Back in present time, Freya's parents are frantically trying to find a way to save her along with her sister Ingrid, the local librarian, who is reading every account of the period she can find. The author does a great job of flipping between present day and 1692 to keep the action moving. I was happy to see more of Ingrid as she tries to navigate loving a mortal man. Will Joanna and Norman find a way to reopen the passages and save their daughter? And what's going on with her twin Freddie? He's searching for his Trident and embarks on a perilous journey of his own. Everything is connected in this wonderful magical journey. It's my favorite book so far, but I would recommend that you read books 1 and 2 to get the full flavor of the Beauchamp family. Recommended.
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This story opens in 1692 and I was immediately pulled into the story. I loved Freya's character as we're given a glimpse of what life in Puritan Salem was like for young maids. Back in present time, Freya's parents are frantically trying to find a way to save her along with her sister Ingrid, the local librarian, who is reading every account of the period she can find. The author does a great job of flipping between present day and 1692 to keep the action moving. I was happy to see more of Ingrid as she tries to navigate loving a mortal man. Will Joanna and Norman find a way to reopen the passages and save their daughter? And what's going on with her twin Freddie? He's searching for his Trident and embarks on a perilous journey of his own. Everything is connected in this wonderful magical journey. It's my favorite book so far, but I would recommend that you read books 1 and 2 to get the full flavor of the Beauchamp family. Recommended.
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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